Ted Marolf As LA FireBirds TV Play-By-Play Voice - Why Not?

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Permalink Reply by Handsome Clem on January 14, 2010 at 6:57pm

Hey Tim,
Dan is already offering DVDs of their games directly on their website in addition to the sporadic TV games on KOFY-TV20, which brings up another point: What role, if any will the syndies have in brand marketing? In these days of national cable nets, the internet, and the like, I still think there is a place for the syndies, but nowhere what it was back in the day. But getting back to my original point, Ted is a LA FireBirds TV play-by-play voice waiting to be hired! BDW could still do the Bay Bomber and national ARSD TV tapings, but when it comes to SoCal, you definitely want that local flavour to help sell the product there, and take it from me, Ted fits the bill!

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Permalink Reply by Chuck, a.k.a. "Mr. Neato" on January 14, 2010 at 7:34pm

I'll be bringing my video camera to the so cal games, as Cory told me a few weeks ago, that Dan has given me the green light on that. I'll make DVD's available for the skaters, as well as for Dan, as I'm sure he'd probably want a copy and I can upload it to a site for streaming video to see the game as it happened. I would love to do streaming video live on the internet, for those unable to make it tothe games here. That's only a thought now....I just got to figure out how to do it. LOL

It would be cool to have a production truck and about 3 or 4 cameras to take care of all the action, and yes, Ted would be a great choice to do the broadcasts. He has the experience for that, as he did color commentary with Dick Holoway in the 80's, after Leroy Gonzales sidelined Ted after jumping on his leg in one game. The downside to having the production truck and cameras, is the cost. You would have to have a lot of sponsors to financially back up the use of the production truck and equipment. If you don't have the money, there's no way you'll get the production truck. I guess Youtube or other video sources will be an outlet for the games until that time.

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Permalink Reply by Grand Poobah on January 15, 2010 at 9:14pm

The thing to realize about syndicating a roller derby show is that like pro wrestling and religion, TV stations will want to be PAID to air the show. Particularly channels with lots of viewers. In essence, the league owner either pays to have it aired, or if he's lucky, they'll air it in exchange for some free advertisements on the station. The TV show is effectively a 30 or 60 minute advertisement for the next live game. Jerry Seltzer says he made zilch off the derby show's ratings back in the day. Lipschultz had the same problems, but he was lucky enough to get MSG and ESPN on board for a while.

With modern pro derby, it doesn't tour around the country or too much further than a few places in the Bay Area and So Cal. Adding to the difficulty of using the old 60s-70s business model is that instead of there being just three network stations, one PBS and an indie UHF channel or two, every market has HUNDREDS of channels. So your derby show has fewer viewers. How many of them will buy tickets and come down to see the games? Fewer than in 1972. Fewer even than in 1985.

Last I heard, cable sports networks were still wanting considerable sums of money to put on shows promoting "new" (to them and their audiences) sports. Consider that there hasn't been a derby-styled ratings (or box office) success in about twenty years.

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Permalink Reply by Handsome Clem on January 15, 2010 at 9:28pm

Which brings us back to this point: With online options available, Dan could go to these money-grubbing, antiquated outlets and say, "Hey, we have this moneymaking thread in front of us, do we REALLY need you guys? You guys ARE becoming dinosaurs on this new playing field! Who needs ya'!" And just watch the reaction on their sorry faces!

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Permalink Reply by Tim Patten on January 17, 2010 at 5:32pm

I am not sure that approach will make good partners. A TV show MUST have business metrics to prove any claims.

Do we have metrics?

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Permalink Reply by Handsome Clem on January 17, 2010 at 6:14pm

Once again, the question needs to be asked: What role, if any, will the syndies play in this new media era, Tim? Sometimes toes have to be stepped on, especially when there are alternative delivery formats available!

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Permalink Reply by Tim Patten on January 19, 2010 at 7:17am

It is nice to see this emotional support, however, to approach ANY TV distributor, we need business metrics. Only hard facts and provable numbers work.

If you have metrics, let us know.

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Permalink Reply by Handsome Clem on February 3, 2010 at 9:07pm

But the point is this: In this era of alternative delivery formats, has the syndies outgrown their usefulness? That answer may just be could be!

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Permalink Reply by Handsome Clem on March 2, 2010 at 7:05am

UPDATE: With the forthcoming matchup between LA and The Broadway Blueshirts Of Roller Derby, The New York Chiefs announced, now would be a good time to look into bringing in Ted as FireBirds TV Play-By-Play. Dan, it's time to grab the bull by the horns and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!!

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Permalink Reply by Tim Patten on March 2, 2010 at 7:13am

I never heard of this guy TED. How old is he? Does he have a huge following that would enhance the roller derby market?

Can he reach our new fan base of people under 30 years old?

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Permalink Reply by Chuck, a.k.a. "Mr. Neato" on March 2, 2010 at 9:14am

Ted Marolf was a top notch skater when he skated. I don't think that it makes any difference if HE can draw the crowd in, but like Clem is saying, he would make a great choice to do commentary on the games. The games and how it is promoted bring in the fans. Ted does have a radio show in the OC on Sundays as well. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Amy Grugan on March 5, 2010 at 4:56pm

Hi

I agree with Chuck. Ted did a fabulous job providing color commentary to old T-Bird games, so he and Danny Wolf would make a great team IMNSHO.

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